Accessibility Testing Services vs Accessibility Testing Tools: Which Is Better?

According to WebAIM's annual accessibility analysis, 95.9% of home pages had detectable WCAG 2.0 failures.

This gap between accessibility goals and reality often stems from uncertainty about the best approach to testing and implementation. Should organizations invest in professional accessibility testing services? Rely on automated testing tools? Or find a way to combine both approaches?

In this guide, we'll explore both options to help you make an informed decision for your organization's accessibility needs.

What are accessibility testing tools?

Accessibility tools are the main choices for making your website more inclusive. These automated solutions scan your website to find common accessibility issues, much like spell-check helps you catch typing errors. Popular tools like WAVE, Axe, and Google Lighthouse can quickly scan entire websites and flag potential problems.

There are two main types of accessibility tools you should know about. First, there are testing tools that help you identify problems—these are like having a digital accessibility inspector. Then there are overlay widgets that claim to fix accessibility issues automatically, similar to putting a filter over your website.

Popular accessibility testing tools

Organizations can choose from various accessibility testing tools, each designed to identify specific types of accessibility issues. Here are some of the most well-known tools in the market:

Axe

Best for: Development teams and enterprise-level testing. 

Key features:

• Open-source testing engine;
• Comprehensive WCAG compliance checks;
• Integration with development workflows;
• Available in both free and enterprise versions.

Why it stands out: Powers many other accessibility tools in the industry, making it a trusted standard for accessibility testing.

WAVE

Best for: Content creators and designers. 

Key features:

• Visual feedback system;
• Real-time accessibility evaluation;
• Browser extension functionality;
• Detailed error explanations.

Why it stands out: It provides immediate, visual feedback directly on web pages, making it ideal for quick assessments and learning about accessibility issues.

Google Lighthouse

Best for: Development teams and performance optimization. 

Key features:

• Integrated with Chrome DevTools;
• Comprehensive scoring system;
• Performance metrics integration;
• Automated accessibility checks.

Why it stands out: Combines accessibility testing with broader performance analysis, making it a valuable tool for developers.

Microsoft Accessibility Insights 

Best for: Early-stage development and detailed testing. 

Key features:

• Guided testing processes;
• FastPass automated checks;
• Detailed issue reporting;
• Development workflow integration. 

Why it stands out: Helps catch accessibility issues early in the development cycle, reducing the cost and effort of later fixes.

You might be interested in: Web Accessibility Tools: Helping or Hurting Digital Inclusion?

Tool capabilities and limitations

Modern accessibility tools excel at identifying technical compliance issues. They can efficiently scan for problems like insufficient color contrast, missing alternative text, improper heading structures, and ARIA implementation errors. Many tools now integrate directly into development workflows, allowing teams to catch accessibility issues before code reaches production.

However, automated testing tools have their limitations. They typically can't evaluate the quality or appropriateness of accessibility solutions. 

For instance, while a tool can detect whether an image has alternative text, it can't determine if that text meaningfully describes the image's content or context. Similarly, tools struggle with assessing the logical flow of content or the usability of interactive features.

Professional accessibility testing services

Accessibility testing services offer a different approach to ensuring digital accessibility. These services combine human expertise with technology to provide comprehensive accessibility evaluations and solutions. Testers can assess the actual usability of websites and applications, considering the diverse needs of users with disabilities.

Services typically include manual testing with various assistive technologies, team training, and strategic guidance for implementing accessibility throughout the development lifecycle. This human-centered approach helps organizations understand not just what needs to be fixed, but why and how to prevent similar issues in the future.

Core components of accessibility testing services

Professional accessibility testing encompasses several key areas that work together to create a complete evaluation of digital accessibility. Technical compliance testing forms the foundation, where experts evaluate adherence to standards like WCAG, ADA, and EAA using both automated tools and manual inspection methods.

Alongside technical evaluation, testers conduct thorough assistive technology testing, using screen readers, voice recognition software, and other assistive technologies to verify compatibility and usability. This hands-on approach ensures that the digital product works effectively with the tools many users rely on daily.

The user experience evaluation phase encompasses several key testing areas:

Navigation and structure 

Accessibility testers begin by examining the fundamentals of digital products. This includes analyzing heading hierarchy, testing keyboard navigation patterns, and ensuring page organization follows a logical structure that works seamlessly with assistive technologies.

Visual accessibility 

Color contrast, text resizing capabilities, and image alternatives form the core of visual accessibility testing. Our experts ensure that your content remains readable and understandable for users with various visual impairments, from color blindness to low vision.

Interactive elements 

Forms, buttons, menus, and other interactive components receive particular attention in our testing process. We verify proper labeling, ensure robust keyboard accessibility, and test error handling to guarantee that all users can effectively interact with your product's features.

Multimedia content 

Videos, audio content, and dynamic elements require specialized accessibility considerations. Our testing verifies the presence and quality of captions, transcripts, and audio descriptions, ensuring your multimedia content reaches all users effectively.

The accessibility testing process

A typical accessibility testing service follows a structured process that ensures thorough coverage and actionable results.

Step 1: Assessment and planning 

The journey begins with initial assessment and planning, during which testers review the project scope and requirements, identify applicable standards and guidelines, determine appropriate testing methodologies, and set up the necessary testing environments.

Step 2: Comprehensive testing 

The comprehensive testing phase follows, incorporating manual testing with assistive technologies, automated scans for technical compliance, user flow validation, mobile and responsive design testing, and verification of multimedia content accessibility. This multi-faceted approach ensures no aspect of accessibility is overlooked.

Step 3: Documentation and analysis 

Issue documentation and analysis come next, with testers creating detailed logs of found issues. Each issue undergoes severity classification and impact assessment for different user groups, with priorities assigned for remediation. This systematic approach helps organizations understand where to focus their improvement efforts.

Step 4: Reporting 

The recommendations and reporting phase transforms findings into actionable insights. Testers create a comprehensive report detailing their findings, specific remediation steps, best practices guidance, and a clear implementation roadmap.

Step 5: Review 

The process concludes with review and support, where findings are presented to stakeholders, remediation guidance is provided, and retesting is conducted after fixes are implemented. Many services also offer ongoing consultation to ensure continued accessibility success.

You might be interested in: 5 Most Commonly Used Tools for Web Accessibility Testing.

Accessibility testing tools vs accessibility testing services

When faced with the choice between accessibility tools and testing services, many organizations ask: Which approach should we choose? The answer often isn't as straightforward as picking one over the other.

The most effective approach often combines both tools and services, leveraging the strengths of each. Automated tools can provide continuous monitoring and quick feedback during development, while professional services offer a more in-depth understanding.

Consider starting with automated tools to address simple technical issues and establish baseline accessibility metrics. This can be complemented by periodic professional assessments to ensure your accessibility strategy remains effective and aligned with accessibility legislation.

Different scenarios call for different approaches. Here's how various situations typically map to testing solutions:

The choice between services and tools isn't just about the immediate needs—it's about understanding the long-term implications for your organization. Let's examine how these solutions compare across key decision factors:  

Making the right choice depends on your organization's specific context, resources, and accessibility goals. While automated tools offer a cost-effective starting point and quick implementation, accessibility testing services provide the expertise and comprehensive coverage needed for full accessibility compliance. 

Many successful organizations find that a hybrid approach—using both tools and services at different stages of development—offers the most robust solution for maintaining consistent accessibility standards.

Final thoughts

Choosing between accessibility testing tools and testing services isn't black and white. Tools offer quick checks and consistent monitoring, while professional services provide the human expertise needed for genuine accessibility. Most successful organizations find that combining both approaches works best - using tools for day-to-day monitoring and professional services for deeper evaluation.

What matters most is finding an approach that fits your organization's needs and resources. Small businesses might start with automated tools and occasional expert consultation, while larger enterprises often benefit from comprehensive professional services supported by automated monitoring.

As technology evolves and standards change, your testing approach should too. Whether you choose tools, services, or both, the key is staying committed to making your digital products work for everyone.

Key takeaways

• Combining automated tools with professional services typically offers the most comprehensive results.
• Automated tools are great for quick checks but miss contextual issues that only humans can spot.
• Professional services bring essential expertise and thorough evaluation capabilities.
• Your choice should match your organization's size, budget, and accessibility requirements.
• Regular testing and monitoring are crucial for maintaining accessibility standards.

Need accessibility testing services? Are you looking to ensure your digital products are truly accessible to all users? Our team of certified accessibility experts can help evaluate your website or application using both manual testing and industry-leading tools. Schedule a call with us today to discuss your accessibility needs.